National Expansion
Manifest Destiny
1800-1848
I. Background of U.S. Foreign Policy
A. Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality and Farewell Address ("avoid entangling alliances")
B. Jefferson's frustrations with the Tripolitan pirates (1801-1804)
C. Monroe Doctrine (1823) signaling America's emergence as a power strong enough to prevent European meddling in western hemisphere's affairs
II. Causes of American Expansion in 1830s and 1840s
A. Economic factors
1) Exhaustion of good lands
2) Effects of the Panic of 1837
B. Psychological factors-manifest destiny
C. Attractive regions-east Texas, California, Oregon
D. Advertising the West
1) Santa Fe traders
2) Mountain men-fur trappers and traders
III. Texas
A. American colonization began in the 1820s under Austin. 20,000 settlers by 1830
B. Mexican independence led to restrictions (slavery prohibited)
C. Texans remained loyal to US but became increasingly frustrated by Mexican rule
D. Santa Anna abolished local rule and set up himself as dictator (1835)
1) Texans responded by declaring independence and establishing own government (March 1836)
2) Alamo--defeat of Texan forces
3) San Jacinto--Mexicans defeated, Santa Anna captured, Texas independence recognized by Mexico
E. Jackson refused to annex Texas
F. Texas admitted to Union in 1845
IV. Oregon Territory
A. Expansionists urged seizure of Oregon from England
B. "54 40 or Fight"
C. Oregon Treaty (1846) set boundary at 49th parallel
V. Mexican-American War
A. Causes of the war
1) American grievances against Mexico
2) Mexican grievances against the U.S.
3) Snub of the Slidell mission to buy New Mexico and California
4) Nueces/Rio Grande River dispute
B. Opposition to the war
1) Lincoln's spot resolutions
2) Enlistments from northeast and southeast were low because of unpopularity of war
3) Thoreau's statement of civil disobedience
C. Campaigns
1) Northern Mexico
2) California
3) Mexico City
D) Results
1) Treaty of Gudelupe-Hildalgo
a) California and New Mexico territories added to U.S.
b) Texas border at Rio Grande accepted
c) U.S. pays Mexico $15 million
2) Renewal of slavery conflict
a) Wilmot Proviso sought to restrict slavery from new territories
b) Southerners (led by Calhoun) stated that Congress had no right to restrict slavery's expansion.
Feldmeth, Greg D., "National Expansion," U.S. History Resources <..//gfeldmeth/USHistory.html/lec.precol.html>